Services

Nutrition Therapy

Leaders in Nutrition

Ridgeview Medical Center’s Nutrition Services department provides optimal nutritional care for pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric ages. Our clinical dietitians provide nutrition therapy services to hospital and clinic patients on an inpatient or outpatient basis, and assist patients at Ridgeview Medical Center, as well as the Chanhassen and Mound clinic sites. Additionally, the Nutrition Services area provides quality nutritional food service for inpatients as well as hospital staff and other cafeteria visitors.

Outpatient Nutrition Services

To arrange an appointment with a registered dietitian, please contact Ridgeview Nutrition Services outpatient scheduling at (952) 442-2191, ext. 5522. Most patients are referred by their physicians. However, you can schedule an appointment without a doctor’s order. Many health insurance plans will cover this service (contact your insurance carrier and ask about your coverage on medical nutrition therapy for the specific diagnosis, and if prior authorization is required). If you do not have insurance coverage, please contact Nutrition Services for fee information.

Clinical Dietetics

Physicians often refer patients to one of Ridgeview’s clinical dietitians for nutrition therapy. Our dietitians are members of the American Dietetic Association and are accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. These professionals have extensive scientific background in food, nutrition, biochemistry and physiology, as well as a specialty area such as diabetes education or cardiac rehabilitation. They promote health and disease prevention, and educate and counsel patients with conditions that may be improved with diet and lifestyle changes.

The Top Ten Reasons Consulting with a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) Can Benefit You:

You have diabetes, cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure. A registered dietitian can be an integral part of your health care team by helping you to change your eating plan without compromising flavor.

You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery. A registered dietitian will help you learn to eat again. Because your post-operative stomach will only manage small servings, getting the right amount of nutrients for your body can be a challenge. An R.D. will work with you and your physician to develop a nutrition plan for your new needs.

You have digestive problems. A registered dietitian will work with your physician to fine-tune your diet so you are not aggravating your condition with fried foods, too much caffeine or carbonation.

You’re pregnant or trying to conceive. A registered dietitian can help make sure you get proper nutrients like folate, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, which can lower your newborn’s risk for neural-tube or spinal-cord defects. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) or R.D. can help you through a gestational diabetes pregnancy.

You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby. A registered dietitian can help to make sure you’re getting enough iron, vitamin D, fluoride and B vitamins beneficial for both you and your newborn.

Your teenager has issues with food and eating healthfully. A registered dietitian can assist patients with eating disorders– like anorexia, bulimia and overeating issues that cause unhealthy weight or obesity.

You’re struggling with weight concerns and need to gain or lose weight. A registered dietitian can provide nutritional calorie-source information for healthy weight gain, or recommend a healthy restricted-calorie eating plan–accompanied by regular physical activity–that will allow you to continue enjoying most all of your favorite foods.

You’re caring for an aging parent. A registered dietitian can assist with food and drug interaction information, proper hydration guidelines and special diets for hypertension and changing taste buds.

You want to eat smarter to stay fit. A registered dietitian can help you sort through misinformation and get you on a healthier eating plan. You can learn how to read labels at the supermarket, how healthy cooking can be inexpensive, how to dine out without ruining your nutrition plan and how to resist the many temptations in your work, home and social environment.

You want to improve your prowess in a favorite sport. A registered dietitian can help you set goals to achieve higher athletic performance whether you’re running a marathon, skiing or jogging with your dog.